Drive safely into Xmas and New Year

Issues of road safety remain a major challenge confronting this country.

Motor accidents have become one of the major causes of death in Ghana, despite the numerous educational and other road safety interventions by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service.

Statistics from the NRSA indicate that there have been 1,915 deaths, while it has recorded 2,418 pedestrian knockdowns, since the beginning of this year.

No matter the lenses with which one looks at the figures, families have lost dear ones and breadwinners from these avoidable deaths.

Most of the accidents result from distracted driving, drink driving and apathy towards traffic rules such as speeding and overloading.

With the Christmas holidays a few days away, the urge to make more sales and have the best for the season will see drivers and other road users begin to abuse the very rules and regulations meant to keep us safe.

The Daily Graphic wishes to remind us that although the NRSA and the police have the duty to ensure our safety on the roads, the responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe on the roads lies in our bosom.

That is why we must all remain watchful and never be in a hurry while on the road.

Certainly, road safety remains a shared responsibility, hence we do not have to wait for the police to safeguard our safety on the roads.

As passengers we have a responsibility to draw the attention of drivers when they are speeding or texting while driving that we cherish our lives.

When we observe that a driver is tired behind the wheel, we should be bold to ask him to stop and take a rest before continuing the journey.

We have a stake in dealing with the recklessness on the roads before accidents shatter not only our lives but also those of our loved ones.

The Graphic Communications Group Limited has, over the past six months, engaged in a public awareness campaign to draw people’s attention to issues of safety and security.

We are playing our part as the frontline media organisation in the country in informing and educating the populace.

While entreating all to join in the campaign, the Daily Graphic urges the authorities to enforce the laws so as to guarantee our future.

We have seen vehicles which, for the ordinary eye, are very unworthy to be on the roads but all have roadworthy stickers. One, therefore, begins to wonder how such vehicles pass roadworthy tests.

There are instances of police personnel on road safety duties also collecting bribes to allow offending drivers go away without facing the law.

The Daily Graphic is exceptionally happy with the initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, for members of the public to monitor and report the conduct of erring police personnel on the roads.

The police will at all times need the support and cooperation of the public to make them effective and for that matter play their roles of safeguarding the interests of the citizenry.

The Daily Graphic urges all to help drive safely into the holidays and not to fly into our graves.